Calgary's new Central Library construction is progressing on schedule (PHOTOS)

13 years in the making, planning for a new library in Calgary’s downtown began in 2004.

In 2013 February, Calgary city council approved the site in East Village along with a $245 million budget, and assigned Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) as the developer.

Construction of the LRT encapsulation started 2014 September, was completed in 2015 September, immediately followed by construction on the main building.

The 5-level library is slated to open late 2018. A city audit will be conducted in July to September 2017 to assess the operational readiness of the facility.

Landscaping is the next project underway for the Calgary Central Library, with a timeline running from June 2017 to July 2018.

Fixtures, furniture & equipment will be on the docket in April 2018.

Timeline of construction photos

September 2016

Exterior cladding work continues at the New Central Library site, the unique geometric pattern will become more and more evident as the installation progresses #NCLinEV

A post shared by @nclinev on Sep 19, 2016 at 3:49pm PDT

October 2016

View of @eastvillageyyc high atop the New Central Library. We just posted a project update video with the architect to our website – link in bio. #nclinev

A post shared by @nclinev on Oct 25, 2016 at 5:00pm PDT

Here’s a sneak peek at the exposed concrete ceiling inside #NCLinEV. This photo was taken in what will eventually become the children’s area of the library.

A post shared by @nclinev on Oct 28, 2016 at 1:28pm PDT

November 2016

The creation of a large curved beam is underway – the formwork is in place and reinforcing steel is being installed. #NCLinEV

A post shared by @nclinev on Nov 4, 2016 at 8:33am PDT

This bird’s-eye view of the #NCLinEV site was captured just a few weeks ago on November 24. The roof is finished on the administration building, and the cooling towers have been installed on the roof. The curtain wall is also progressing nicely along the west side (facing City Hall).

A post shared by @nclinev on Dec 12, 2016 at 1:19pm PST

January 2017

Installation of the precast concrete wall panels has begun on the north-east corner of the building! These panels vary in shape and size, but are approximately 1.5 metres wide by 9 metres high, and weigh approximately 5,000 kilograms. #NCLinEV

A post shared by @nclinev on Jan 4, 2017 at 3:19pm PST

Here’s a recent shot of #NCLinEV from 8th Ave SE looking west. Eventually you’ll be able to walk right through the underbelly to 3rd St SE and see City Hall just across the road.

A post shared by @nclinev on Jan 20, 2017 at 9:42am PST

Thanks for the amazing capture @nicholasdykstra ・・・ A view of the New Central Library’s curtain wall (designed by #Snohetta & #Dialog) from the inside. #yycarchitecture.

A post shared by @nclinev on Jan 27, 2017 at 2:33pm PST

March 2017

Thank you to all who signed the last steel beam of the building! We are so thrilled that Calgarians came to create a time capsule with us. The completion of the the skeletal steel structure marks the next stage of construction – interior finishing. #NCLinEV

A post shared by @nclinev on Mar 21, 2017 at 12:49pm PDT

You can really see the progress that’s been made to enclose the building in this photo from March 23, 2017. More of the geometric glass curtain wall has been installed, and most of the glazing around the 1st story is in place on the east side. #NCLinEV

A post shared by @nclinev on Apr 5, 2017 at 10:41am PDT

May 2017

It’s one milestone after another for #NCLinEV! Today we have our largest ever concrete pour in the project – over 2.8 million pounds – and on Sunday we’ll hoist the last steel beam, which over 700 Calgarians have signed.

A post shared by @nclinev on May 5, 2017 at 10:38am PDT

June 2017

Here is one of the soffit panels in fabrication. This beautiful wood will form an arched ceiling outside the building’s entrance. We’ll start to see some panels installed next week on the west side. #NCLinEV

A post shared by @nclinev on Jun 6, 2017 at 4:30pm PDT